Traveling to Nyc? Best tips to save $ here!
Based on personal experIEnce!
NYC has a reputation for being one of the most expensive places to travel, but visiting doesn’t have to drain your bank account. With these tips, you can experience NYC without spending anywhere near what most tourists do.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about how to travel NYC on a budget: what to pack, how to get around cheaply, where to find affordable meals, the best free/cheap attractions, budgeted entertainment, and more! BONUS: You will also get a sample 2-day itinerary.
INCLUDED BELOW:
- Budget Tips for Visiting NYC
- Subway vs Bus
- Free Attractions & Activities
- Cheap & Affordable Eats
- Budget-Friendly Entertainment
- NYC Mistakes That Waste Money
- Quick Budget Breakdown
- Complete 2-day Itinerary
Budget Tips For Visiting NYC
- Pack Only a Backpack
One of the easiest ways to save money on travel is to pack light. A backpack is the perfect size for a crowded city and helps you avoid airline baggage fees. For a quick weekend trip, all you really need is a few outfits, toiletries, and comfortable shoes.
- Stay in Budget-Friendly Areas
Neighborhoods like Long Island City, Jersey City, and the Financial District offer huge savings on hotels. If you are okay with not being right in the city, these hotels offer discounts and you are just a short ride away.
- Short Weekend > Long Stay
A quick 72 hour trip is one of the easiest ways to save money traveling to NYC. Fewer days means fewer meals, less subway fees, and no extra “just because” costs. You can still get the whole NYX experience if you plan the right way.
- Walk Often & Plan
Organize your trip by neighbords and time blocks so you can walk between stops instead of relying on Ubers or the Subway. Walking also lets you explore and keeps transportation costs close to zero. (When I traveled to NYC, we walked 12 miles one of the days!)
Subway vs bus
- Subway (Best option for visitors)
The subway is the cheapest and fastest way to get around NYC with rides costing only $2.90. It cuts through Manhattan quicker than cars and connects to major tourist areas like Times Square, SoHo, and the Brooklyn Bridge. You can view a map of the subway below.
- Bus
Buses cost the same as the subway and are great for short trips or when you want to stay above ground and actually see the city. But, you risk losing time where the Subway could get you much faster. You can purchase different MetroCard packages, and view the different bus routes.
- Why to Avoid Uber
Uber is almost never worth it in NYC. Short rides can cost $45–$85 due to traffic and rising prices. AND they’re always slower than the subway. For example, the ride below is .7 miles and the average price is $79.46.
Free attractions & activities
NYC offers countless free attractions that give you just as much fun and experience as paid ones. You can fill an entire weekend exploring NYC without spending a single dollar (except transportation). These free activities help you see the best of the city, enjoy amazing views, and experience New York while staying on budget.
- Walk the Brooklyn Bridge (perfect way to get your steps in and see gorgeous views)
- Explore Central Park (great for relaxing & people-watching &)
- Explore DUMBO (you can take the viral photo too)
- Visit Ground Zero (see location of twin towers before the hit)
- Walk in Times Square (bright lights, VERY BUSY, street performers)
- Ride the Staten Island Ferry (completely free view of skyline & Statue of Liberty
BROOKLYN BRIDGE
GROUND ZERO
DUMBO
Cheap & affordablE eats
NYC has some of the best food options and knowing where to eat can save you a huge amount of money each day. Instead of pricey sit-down restaurants or tourist traps, focus on classic NYC staples like bagels, pizza slices, and street food. These spots are cheap, fast, delicious, and give you a real taste of the city food without blowing your budget. Some of my favorites are below:
- Bagel Shops ($4-$8): Liberty Bagels in a popular NYC stop (shown in images on the right)
- Pizza Slices ($3-$6): Joe’s pizza is famous for being shown shown in Spiderman
- Chinatown ($6-$12): Yi Ji Shi Mo is a famous & delicious spot
- Street Food ($5-$19): Eat these for an authentic NYC experience
Budget-friendly entertainment
NYC has endless entertainment options that don’t require expensive tickets or fancy tours. With minimal planning, you can experience skyline views, museums, live performances, and more, all on a budget. Here are some fun and afforable entertainment you won’t want to miss:
- Take a Budget Boat Tour ($18-$38): Enjoy the skyline and Statue of Liberty views
- See a Discount Broadway Show (prices vary): Check todaytix for big savings on shows
- American Museum of Natural History ($18-$30): While this may sound a little pricy, you can see just about EVERYTHING and it will take you almost a full day.
- Free entertainment around the city: see subway performers, Washington Square Park musicians, Times Square acts, etc.
NYC mistaKes that waste money
Many visitors accidentally overspend in NYC simply because they don’t know what to avoid. By skipping these money traps, you can stretch your budget much further and get a more authentic NYC experience.
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Taking Uber everywhere
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Eating in Times Square
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Buying Statue of Liberty tickets from street vendors
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Overpacking and needing storage or extra transportation
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Booking a hotel in the wrong (overpriced) neighborhood
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Paying for water bottles instead of refilling one
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Doing too many paid attractions instead of mixing in free activities
Quick Budget Breakdown
Many visitors accidentally overspend in NYC simply because they don’t know what to avoid. By skipping these money traps, you can stretch your budget much further and get a more authentic NYC experience.
Estimated total NYC weekend cost:
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Hotel: $150–$240/night
(Average total for 2 nights: $300–$480)
Affordable options in safe, close neighborhoods:-
LIC Hotel: Long Island City (10 mins to Manhattan)
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The Local NYC: Long Island City
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Hyatt House Jersey City :Waterfront views + quick PATH train to Manhattan
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Food: $50–$100 total
Cheap eats like bagels, pizza slices, Chinatown meals, and street food. You can find examples above! -
Transportation: $10–$25 total
Subway rides are $2.90 each. Walking keeps costs extremely low. -
Entertainment: $18–$40
Budget boat tour, cheap museum entry, or free parks/High Line/DUMBO. -
Misc: $10–$20
Snacks, small souvenirs, or unexpected extras.
Realistic weekend total:
$390–$665 for 48 hours in NYC
Quick Budget Breakdown
This itinerary keeps your weekend planned, budget-friendly, and packed with New York experiences,
DAY 1: Midtown → Harbor → Chinatown
Start your morning in Midtown on foot, which keeps things free and walkable. After, head to the harbor for a budget boat tour, then wrap up the night with amazing food in Chinatown.
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Walk 5th Avenue
Window-shop luxury stores and see famous spots like the Rockefeller Center for free. -
Stop by Bryant Park + Grand Central Terminal
Pretty park views + the famous celestial ceiling. -
Take an afternoon budget boat tour
Perfect skyline + Statue of Liberty views without the pricey ticket. -
Dinner in Chinatown
Affordable dumplings, noodles, and boba ($10–$18 meals).
DAY 2: Brooklyn → DUMBO → SoHo
Day 2 takes you across the river for some of the best free viewpoints in the city. End the day exploring SoHo. See art, famous srchitecture, and cheap eats.
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Walk the Brooklyn Bridge
Free, beautiful, and best early in the morning. -
Hit classic DUMBO viewpoints
Pebble Beach, Time Out Market rooftop, and the Manhattan Bridge photo spot. -
Explore SoHo on foot
Trendy shops, art galleries, and great photo ops. -
Cheap lunch or street food
Pizza slices, bagels, or food carts ($5–$12).
Looking For a real estimate?
This trip calculator can help you find out your real cost to NYC!
NYC Trip Cost Calculator
Hi, I’m Claire! I’m a senior at Western Michigan University studying digital marketing, with a big passion for travel and finding the best deals along the way. My blog is all about sharing the best vacation spots and smart ways to save money while traveling! Every post comes from my own travel experiences and lessons learned on the go!